Plenty of kids dragged their famous mums to the New York premiere. Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins rushed past photographers with their kids, as did ABC's Meredith Vieira.

Model Christie Brinkley snapped pictures of her husband, children and nephew together on the red carpet. "My son and I read all the books together out loud, in all the accents," she said.

Fans lined up as early as 4 a.m., 12 hours before the start of the film, to angle for an autograph or glimpse of their favorite star. [AP] Radcliffe and Thompson discussed their roles at a news conference:

"It would be very hard to watch someone else playing the parts," conceded Radcliffe, who saw himself on screen at 6,000-seat Radio City Music Hall at Sunday's world premiere of "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," which opens around the world on June 4.

"But I'm just taking it one film at a time," he told a news conference.

Watson concurred and presumably so would have Rupert Grint, who plays their partner in cinematic magic, Ron, were he not busy acting his age and taking school exams back in Britain.

....The actors, like the characters they play, are entering their teenage years and coming to terms with some of the same urges and issues facing the young wizards of Hogwarts Academy.

"Hormones are interesting things," said Radcliffe with a chuckle. The slender actor talked about listening to loud rock music during down time on the movie set. "I think the music does help me let off a lot of steam."

Radcliffe said he can relate to Potter.

"Harry basically has the same feelings of any teenager, but because of his past he feels them more strongly," he said. "I kind of took my feelings and exaggerated them."

The world premiere audience roared with delight at a scene when Hermione punches Potter's rival Draco Malfoy in the face.

"I loved every single second of it. Girl Power," said Watson. "It was great. I would have done it for a whole week but we got it in a couple of takes." [Reuters]